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| Sunrise on a cold mountain morn'. |
Good morning Friends!
How are you all today? Life seems to have re-balanced itself this weekend. I'm very grateful for that! No more rushing around and stressing about winter driving! Yahoo! I SLEPT IN today - well 6:15 am is sleeping in for me! 😊
It's so cold out! Will I ever stop whining about the cold - probably not until May!! I saw a lump of blanket on the top of the couch this morning, upon further inspection...it was Leo. He needs to keep warm too!
We're still enjoying fresh asparagus. I made some Asparagus and Gruyère Crepes served with leftover Asparagus Soup. This veggie is delicious but also very good for you. It's a prebiotic fiber and promotes a healthy gut. I could eat some every day! I just don't like frozen asparagus, so whenever I find it fresh, I really load up on it and we eat it for days.
I went for a walk yesterday to pick up the mail and I instantly regretted it. It's very windy on the mountain lately and the cold air chills you right to the bone.
What better to warm a gal up than CLT Subs With Sautéed Mushrooms? 😊 The "C" stands for Cheddar. Alex is surprising me lately by taking over the dinner duties. He knows that I post my food photos here so he's making an effort to make them look photogenic!
On the cheese front, we opened another Jarlsberg cheese that I made in October. This is the BEST cheese I've ever made. It's sweet and mild and look at those EYES!!! I have to make another one soon because this one is nearly gone! The only issue is that it doesn't melt very well - this is an issue with all of my cheeses so far this year.
The Cams are starting to form a beautiful bloomy white mold - a good sign!
And today we are tasting the Raclette cheese. Look at that lovely orange rind! I'll be posting a video on my cheese making blog soon about this cheese. I'm going to do a melt test too, because the whole point of a Raclette cheese is to be able to melt it in the Raclette machine!!
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| Charlie snuggling up to Oscar |
Our little baby Oscar is doing better. Unfortunately he will need to stay on allergy meds, we don't like that, but at least he's not constantly scratching anymore.
Here's a little video of my lazy dogs on the couch. Little do they know they're all getting a bath today!! At the end of the video, Jack is giving me the shifty eyes! Enjoy your Sunday folks and see you on Thursday for our art date! The theme is Cozy.
By the way, next Sunday's food post is going to be very special! Tuesday is our traditional Christmas Tree Trimming Day and I have a pretzel bar planned!! Homemade pretzels, pretzel bites, dips, dessert pretzels...it's going to be delicious!! I'm too excited about this! Preparations start today!
Lovely post, and those cheeses look yummy. But my fave today is the couch dogs video, they are such cuties! Have a great week, hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeletethose couch dogs are too sweet! I liked hearing you talk to them like I talk to Milo too. You make cheese! Wow, I never knew anyone who made cheese. Looks delish.
ReplyDeleteLeeAnna
The cheeses look so yummy. I wish I could be your taste tester. I can't wait to see the pretzel bar. I dearly love love love pretzels even though I shouldn't eat them but I can't help it. The couch babies looked so cozy and warm. I bet they spent the whole day there. My Lucy spends the whole day on the couch unless I Push her out from under her blanket to get some exercise. She will sleep all day if she's allowed.
ReplyDeleteOMG that Jarlsberg looks good! Now I'm craving some. Perhaps a little trip to the cheese shop is in order for today . . . .
ReplyDeleteAsparagus is one of my favorites too. The pretzel bar sounds great.
ReplyDeletethat jarlsberg might be the cheese that convinces me to get into cheese making. maybe i will give it a shot after the holidays. i can't wait to hear if the raclette melts. the dogs are so cute!
ReplyDeleteOh-Your cheeses look fantastic. You have a knack for it--hope this last one melts like you are hoping.
ReplyDeletePoor baby with the allergy meds.
Hope you have a wonderful Sunday- xo Diana
That sunrise definitely looks cold, Rain! We've had our fireplace on constantly here, even though it isn't as cold as where you are. That Jarlsberg looks wonderful. I'm sure you'll figure out what is happening regarding your melting issues. You've made quite a variety of delicious looking cheeses! Alex's CLT Subs lok scrumptious. Guys are funny, aren't they? I love that he is stepping up his game! And as always your fur babies are endearing. Thanks for pointing out that Jack had Mr. Curly. I would have missed that, and it gave me a big smile. Happy tree decorating on Tuesday. I've got ours untwisted, and now I'm working on the lights. Have fun!!!
ReplyDeleteYour furry babies are so adorable.
ReplyDeleteLove the sunrise photograph.
ReplyDeleteYour cheeses look fabulous and you can't beat asparagus … so yummy.
All the best Jan
Leo is also cold, white under the blanket to keep warm.
ReplyDeletehomemade cheese this is great and looks delicious and the dishes. Your dog video is so cute, they look so tired.
greetings Elke
The foods are looking photogenic and delicious :)
ReplyDeleteJack's shifty eyes are too cute! I think he knows a bath is comin'. Your cheese is gorgeous and I can imagine how delicious it all tastes. And that CLT sub... I'm almost speechless at how good that looks. I'm sitting here giggling imagining how good it must have TASTED. Alex has done good!
ReplyDeleteAW....for all those sweet furbabes. They are so cute. You cheeses look so amazing. Lots and lots of snow, and we are still sitting in the mid 50s, but changing come to tomorrow night. Dropping down but with the way it keeps going it will go back up yet again. That is why so many folks are catching colds and staying sick. I got your Christmas card yesterday...beautiful. Did you paint that?
ReplyDeleteThe food looks warm and comforting, and I enjoyed your cozy video.
ReplyDeleteYes on asparagus and we just bought some on sale today. We really like it and like it too. This bunch will be sautéed this week and possibly be a side dish with our stuffed acorn squash dinner or maybe served with linguine...so many possibilities. I really liked the eyes on the chsse and what an unusual looking orange variety let us know how it tastes😋 the digs are looked so comfortable all snuggled up.
ReplyDeleteyour mountain sunrise picture is beautiful and I loved your couch dog video, your dogs all look so gentle and loving. Do you make cheeses for a living Rain? they look so professional, I would love to eat the camenbert!
ReplyDeleteI know my cat is cold when she'll climb under my blankets at the foot of my bed. She always makes a thrilling sound when she hears me enter the room so I don't sit on her or try to straighten the covers. When I'm on the bed, she'll paw at the edge of the covers for me to lift them up so she can burrow in.
ReplyDeleteSmart pets! lol
ReplyDeleteTell Alex he did an excellent job with his food presentation. Keeps up your tradition of making everybody hungry when they visit your blog!
I managed to make four aged (waxed) cheeses this fall before the milk ran out. Last year's one turned out very good, so I'm hoping for a repeat performance. Some days were still a little too warm, so we'll see.
Oh love your fur persons photos ~ I am with them ~ this year cold weather came too soon and too quickly ~ plus, rain, wind and snow seems to be the 'menu' more days than not ~ had enough already ^_^
ReplyDeleteHappy Moments to You,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Gosh and I thought our constant rain was bad enough , just found your blog by the way .
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photo. Yummy looking food and love the pictures of the pets staying warm! Nancy
ReplyDeleteYour cheeses look amazing. Love seeing Jack; he's my fave; can't help it.
ReplyDeleteCheesy goodness gracious! Love your little babies! Both cheese and critters...lol
ReplyDeleteSo much coziness at your place! And great food. How did the baths go? Do your fur babies enjoy them?
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of the cold either. I'll complain with you until spring :)
This post made me hungry, especially the crepes. I think it's so cool you make cheese and it looks very professional Rain, well done!
ReplyDeleteBrrr...Your snow photo looked cold and dreary...I bet you were glad to get home.🎄
Happy weekend and Hugs!❤
My Poetic Path
You have become an expert cheesemaker! I can't believe how you have progressed! I remember before you started when you were dissatisfied with the storebought cheeses and "threatened" to make your own. Now look at you! Amazing!!! You are a true inspiration to all of us that there isn't anything you can't do if you put your mind to it! I think it is just wonderful!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter and I both love asparagus too. I'm sorry about Oscar's allergy...I must have missed that. I hope he is getting better now. Alex did very good on the food pictures...yum! I loved the video of the dogs being lazy....and Jack...what can I say....he has "killer" eyes! What a sweetie! They're all sweet!
Thanks Laurie :) Oh I hate winter driving...and night driving! I try to plan everything so I'm only driving on sunny days! I wish our pets could speak too!
ReplyDeleteThanks Valerie :) The cheeses...I'm so proud of them, I just wish they would melt!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks LeeAnna :) I started making cheese in 2017 and had many fails, so I stopped for a year, but got back on the horse and I'm so glad I did!
ReplyDeleteThanks Leanna :) The pretzel bar was a lot of fun! But as usual, I made way too much food! Lucy sounds a lot like our pups! They move from that futon couch downstairs to our bed upstairs all day long!
ReplyDeleteOh cool Debra, I hope you made it to the cheese shop! :)
ReplyDeleteAspargus is so delicious John! I wish I had some growing! And the pretzel bar was a hit!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Joyce :) I do hope you try some cheese making, I think you'd be great at it! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Diana :) Well, it didn't melt, but it's still delicious! I need a chemistry degree to figure that one out!
ReplyDeleteThanks Louise :) Yes...when it's sunny in the winter, it's dang cold out. -28 in the mornings, I CAN'T STAND IT. I love that Alex is styling our food now lol! It's pretty cool. Jack just loves Mr. Curly, won't let him go! I have to sneak him into the washing machine while Jack eats or I'll never get him clean lol...
ReplyDeleteThanks Anesha :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jan :) I wish I could asparagus year round!
ReplyDeleteThanks Elke :) The dogs are always trying to find the most comfy place in the house. It's cute when they all sleep together!
ReplyDeleteThanks ReHiTu :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Becki :) That sub was SO good...the added sauteed mushrooms really made a difference! I think Jack has a sixth sense about baths too lol!
ReplyDeleteThanks Pam :) The fur babes make my day. :) I'm so glad you got the card! And yes I painted it. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Christine :) Warm and comforting is definitely what we need for the next 5-6 months!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dorothy :) The Jarlsberg eyes are fantastic! I love that it worked out. The orange cheese, Raclette, was nice and strong, but again didn't melt. grrr. It's a mystery but I'm still researching, that information is really hard to find.
ReplyDeleteThanks Betty :) The dogs are my heart...I love taking photos and videos of them! No, I don't make cheese for a living, it's just a hobby, I guess you can call it! If I sold the cheese, I'd have to pass a lot of provincial standards and have licenses...too much stress for me! The Cams are really lovely, though I'm trying a new recipe this year, we'll see!
ReplyDeleteThat's funny Jo! They're really smart. When Jack is under the covers in my bed, well it's pretty obvious he's there, he still makes a little growl when anyone comes close as a warning!
ReplyDeleteThanks Leigh :) Oh I'll tell him! He was so proud of how that sub looked! :) I haven't tried waxing my cheese yet, maybe I'm just too lazy. We have opened store bought waxed cheese and all we smelled and tasted was the plasticky wax, so I think that's contributing to my decision not to wax as well. But I did buy a clear wax a long time ago, it's not supposed to have any scent of flavour. I'll try it one of these days. Do you notice any smell/taste of wax when you open your cheeses? What kind did you make?
ReplyDeleteThanks Carol :) Oh I've had enough already too and it's just begun!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Seductive Landscape :) I honestly think I prefer the snow to constant rain!
ReplyDeleteThanks Nancy :) Those pets know how to stay warm and cozy!
ReplyDeleteThanks Stefanie :) I love all of our pets, but yeah, Jack is too irresistible! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Dino :) I hope you had a chance to make some cheese too!
ReplyDeleteThanks Martha :) Oh the baths...well, Jack and Marlene submit when they get into the tub, I guess they feel it's futile to try to flee lol...but Charlie, omg...she's a big girl and weighs nearly 100 pounds, so I have to put her leash on and tie her or she'll fight me every step of the way! She has her winter coat too so it's really thick. Okay, it's a deal, we complain until the spring lol! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Geraldine :) I love hearing that my posts make people hungry! That's nice what you said about the cheese! I just wish I could figure out how to get it to melt. I do know it has to do with PH levels...maybe the homogenized milk I have to use...but I don't know much more from there. It's taking a lot of researching and I'm not coming up with answers!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Sam :) That was a sweet comment! That's true, you've been with me from the get go of my cheese making venture! The best is yet to come if I can figure out how to get the cheese to MELT!!! Jack has the eyes for sure!!! :)
ReplyDeleteAwww I love that he makes the food look photogenic for you....I'd get an eyeroll. LOL!!!
ReplyDeleteLOL Jenn! :)
ReplyDelete